Third to Seventh Cervical Vertebrae
The spinous processes of the remaining cervical vertebrae increase in height and in cranial inclination. The ventral crests are most prominent at the caudal ends of the bodies, marking the positions of the intervertebral disks directly caudal to them.
The transverse processes have distinct cranial and caudal extensions (ventral and dorsal tubercles). The ventral tubercle of the sixth vertebra is a nearly sagittal plate that projects considerably below the contour of the body (Fig. 12.3/9). The transverse process of the seventh is a rodlike lateral projection that does not overlap the body ventrally. The caudal extremity of that body bears an articular fovea for the head of the first rib. The flat articular surfaces of the synovial joints are nearly horizontal. The cranial articular processes, which provide the ventral component of these joints, narrow the large intervertebral foramina from above.The wide joint spaces of the atlanto-occipital and the atlantoaxial joints support relatively free vertical and rotational movements. The nuchal ligament extends from the spinous process of the axis to the tip of the first thoracic spinous process; it is then continued by the supraspinous ligament until the third sacral vertebra. The nuchal ligament plays an important role in the support of the head of the dog and must be spared during surgery (see Fig 2.8/3). The ligament is not present in cats, but they do possess a supraspinous ligament.
Disorders of the cervical vertebral column, producing compression of the spinal cord, occur in large dogs, especially the Great Dane and the Doberman Pinscher. These disorders may involve deformation of the vertebral arch, malformation of articular facets, vertebral instability of C5-C6 or C6-C7, and dorsal displacement of the vertebral body.